Boston (7-9, 2-4 V) has had two days off after recently humiliating the Magic 87-56, at home. The secret to beating the Orlando Magic is no secret at all. If you have good interior defenders, you single-cover Dwight Howard as much as possible and ask your other defenders to crowd perimeter shooters to take away 3-point shots. They limited the Magic to single-game franchise lows of 56 points and 24.6 percent shooting. “We have trouble scoring against them,” Magic guardJ.J. Redicksaid. “That’s not a secret. They’re a great defense, and we’ve had so many battles with them that they’ve kind of figured us out.”

Rajon Rondo and a number of other injured Boston Celtics are close to returning to the lineup and could play tonight against Orlando. Rondo, who has missed three games with a wrist injury, was back at practice Wednesday, but has yet to take part in a full-contact workout. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers is expecting Rondo to return for Thursday’s game against the Orlando Magic. The 25-year-old has missed three games with the injury and is averaging 15 points and 9.4 assists per game this season. Jermaine O’Neal (knee, wrist), Mickael Pietrus (right shoulder), Keyon Dooling (right knee) and Chris Wilcox (left calf) may also be back Thursday. They all participated in some part of Wednesday’s practice and are considered game-time decisions. However, the news wasn’t so good regarding Ray Allen. The veteran is hobbled with an ankle injury and didn’t make the trip to Orlando. He’s averaging 14.9 points per contest.

Orlando (12-5, 6-2 H) are fresh off a 102-83 road beat down of Indiana. The Magic overcame Dwight Howard’s first-half foul trouble and the fatigue from their second game in a row and finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. Ryan Anderson scored a game-high 24 points, grabbed eight rebounds and played uncharacteristically strong defense. Glen Davis came off the bench to score 13 points and collect five boards. And Hedo Turkoglu scored 11 and dished out eight assists.

Glen Davis said a key for Orlando now — and something the team failed to do Monday — is to move the ball. Van Gundy, J.J. Redick and Ryan Anderson also emphasized the importance of ball movement and, if necessary, running a second and third pick-and-roll each possession. “I think the answer for us is we’ve got to somehow get their bodies off of us or try to get ‘em to put two guys on the ball,” Van Gundy said. “A lot of that is going to be screening and ball movement. And the pace of the game has to be very quick. I don’t mean necessarily it’s got to be up-and-down.” When Howard encountered problems down low, Orlando players too often tried to beat their defenders one-on-one. That’s a recipe for disaster for Orlando, because the team lacks players who can create their own shots off the dribble.

Recent Trends to Consider:
Home team is 5-0-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Favorite is 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Celtics are 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Under is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings in Orlando.
Under is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Magic are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 Thursday games.

Point-Spreads recommends you check the Celtics vs Magic 2012 NBA Point Spreads before the game tips off.

The Bottom Line: Howard is always great at home, but if the Celtics have Rondo back they’ll easily cover. NBA Point Spreads Expert Tyler Morgan turned in another successful NBA weekend. Morgan is now 5-2 and his 2011-2012 NBA Picks record is an astounding 10-2 (83 %). Tyler’s moves put thousands of dollars into his clients hands week after week during the regular season. The good news for NBA bettors is – TYLER MORGAN’S PICKS ARE FREE – unlike most self proclaimed experts who charge big bucks to subscribers. Put a few Morgan Silver Dollars in your bank account during the 2012 NBA season by getting Tyler’s winning plays for FREE. Feel free to sign up to get NBA Picks Free!